ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

I've been thinking about just that issue although for a smaller space
(2000 Sq Ft?)

For crates I would look at how many trailer trucks a 5K exhibit travels
in and multiply.  A typical 9x53 foot trailer is around 475 sq ft. And
if you can do it include a forklift in the budget to stack them up. And
a pallet lift too.

I would have track lighting grid with fairly tight spacing and many
20amp circuits so that I could drop power as well as illuminate.  Have a
good variety of floods, spots, etc.  And maybe fluorescent "house"
lights above for installation and maintenance. Lots of wall outlets
including a few 220-30amp circuits.  Forget floor outlets they never end
up where you need them and if there are columns put an outlet on all
four faces of each one.

Minimum 16 feet to the tracks and then whatever else above for
mechanical.  Oh and that means getting a Genie lift to go with the
forklift.

HVAC should be on its own.  No use heating or air conditioning when the
gallery is empty.  Also some exhibits may produce way more heat load
than others.  This also is great during installation when you might be
painting or doing smelly work that you don't want escaping into the rest
of the museum.

I would have a loading dock for big trailers.  I would have a loading
dock foyer big enough for a handful of big crates to sit without getting
in the way. I would have access to the space by the public be such that
when it is closed off it does not appear to be an empty space. 

Erich Rose
Exhibit Manager
Austin Children's Museum
201 Colorado Street
Austin, TX 78701
512-472-2499 x207, fax 512-472-2495
[log in to unmask], www.austinkids.org
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of bruce quast
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 2:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Traveling exhibits hall

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

As part of our museum's expansion, we are planning a new 5000 sq. ft.
traveling exhibits hall. I am interested in what other museums have done
when creating a new space for traveling exhibits.

I would appreciate any advice on any of the following:

How much space did you allow for crate storage?

What type of lighting systems are you using?

Ceiling height?

Any special HVAC system?

Any other general suggestions or ideas on traveling exhibit galleries
will
also be appreciated.

Thanks-


Bruce Quast
Exhibits Director
Discovery Center Museum
Rockford, Illinois
815/972-2833
[log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft.
To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]